6 top foreign-born players Benni McCarthy can turn to & build strong Harambee Stars squad

In March, finally took charge of his first two international games as coach of Kenya national team,

The first clash against Gambiabefore a narrow 2-1 loss at home to aInspired Gabon dealt their World Cup qualifying campaign a massive dent.

While fans had alot of reasons to be excited about the future given the side’s front-footed nature under McCarthy, the South African gaffer himself will want to try out different players who can give the side something different, including foreign-based citizens.

takes a look at 6 players the former Manchester United assistant coach can turn to in efforts to build the side in his image.

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AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia could not score past each other during the 96th edition of the Mashemeji Derby as the contest ended goalless.

6. Zak Vyner

To start us off, is one player Benni McCarthy will surely be hoping could be available at his disposal should he turn out to be available. 

Vyner actually did agree to play for Kenya in June 2024, and was set to make his debut against Burundi, but documentation issues prevented him from acquiring a Kenyan passport, and as a result, he is yet to earn a cap for the nation.

Vyner’s physical presence is a nightmare for many opponents given his 6 feet 2 frame. He also shows great composure on the ball, and versatility, as he can also operate as a right-back or defensive midfielder. 

A product of Bristol City’s youth academy, Vyner made his senior debut in 2016 and has since become a key figure for the club. 

Over the years, he has gained valuable experience through loan spells at clubs like Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United, and Aberdeen, which have contributed to his development as a reliable and consistent defender.

This season, Vyner has been instrumental in Bristol City’s push for promotion to the Premier League. Operating primarily as a central defender in a back-three system, he has showcased his defensive prowess with crucial clearances, interceptions, and blocks. 

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Vyner’s leadership qualities have also come to the fore, as he has occasionally captained the side, earning the trust of his teammates and coaching staff.

Given the gaping lack of enough quality defenders capable of playing in McCathy’s high line system,

5. Linton Maina

Born to a Kenyan father and German mother, is a player that has grown to prominence in both the Bundesliga and the 2.Bundesliga for FC Koln.

This season, he leads the 2. Bundesliga assist charts with 10, while he has also scored three goals, contributions that have played a key role in their quest to win back promotion to the Bundesliga.

Maina began his professional career at Hannover 96, where he spent several years before joining Köln in 2022. Over the years, he has developed into a dynamic player capable of influencing games with goals and assists.

Maina has represented Germany at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, U18, U19, and U20 teams. However, his Kenyan heritage makes him eligible to play for the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s national football team. 

Over the years, many notable players have been eligible to play for Kenya's Harambee Stars and other nations as well, with some opting for the latter.

4. Clement Mutai Bischoff

Danish-born Kenyan star has been making waves in European football, attracting significant interest from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. 

While a reported Ksh 1.2 billion move to England ultimately collapsed last February , the 19-year-old’s talent remains undeniable, and his international allegiance could soon be a major talking point for Harambee Stars fans.

While Bischoff has represented Denmark at the youth level, scoring on his first start for the U19s in September 2023, his international future remains open.

 He is eligible to represent Kenya through his paternal lineage, and should he opt for the Harambee Stars, he would follow in the footsteps of Victor Wanyama, who enjoyed a successful Premier League career with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, has been on the lookout for players with Kenyan roots who could strengthen the squad. 

3. Maik Nelson Afri Akumu

is one of the most exciting young prospects in German football. The winger, born on July 14, 2008, in Berlin to a Kenyan father and an English mother, holds dual citizenship in Germany and Poland.

 He primarily plays as a left winger but is also capable of operating on the right wing or as a center-forward. Standing at 1.84 meters, Akumu possesses the physicality and agility necessary to excel in wide positions.

The teenager has progressed through Hertha Berlin’s youth ranks and currently features for both the U19 and U21 teams.

Internationally, Akumu has represented Germany at the U17 level, earning three caps. Most notably, he scored an 86th-minute winner in Germany’s 2-1 victory over Portugal on January 11, 2025. 

2. Quincy Mbugua

Quincy Mbugua, another promising talent at Hertha Berlin, currently plays for the club’s U17 team.

 Born on July 21, 2008, Mbugua is a versatile player who primarily operates as a left winger but is also comfortable on the right wing or as a right-back. Like Akumu, Mbugua holds German citizenship but is eligible to represent Kenya if he chooses to switch allegiances.

Mbugua has been with Hertha Berlin’s youth academy since 2020 and signed a contract extension on October 14, 2022, that runs until June 30, 2026. In the 2024/2025 season, he has made 12 appearances in the U17 DFB-Nachwuchsliga, scoring two goals over 574 minutes of play.

He also represented the Berlin U15 team in the Länderpokal tournament, playing four matches and scoring twice between June 16 and June 20, 2023.

Unlike Akumu, Mbugua has not yet featured for Germany’s youth national teams, which could make it easier for FKF to convince him to play for Kenya. 

1. Djed Spence

’s rise from Tottenham reject to a key player has been a huge talking points among fans.

Standing at 6 feet tall, Spence stands out for  He began his career at Fulham before moving to Middlesbrough, where he gained recognition for his performances. 

His impressive stint at Nottingham Forest during the 2021-2022 season, which helped the club secure promotion to the Premier League, earned him a move to Spurs in July 2022. Despite initial struggles under former manager Antonio Conte, showcasing his versatility by excelling in both right-back and left-back roles.

Spence’s Kenyan eligibility stems from his heritage; his mother, Aisha Spence, is Kenyan, while his father is Jamaican. 

This dual heritage makes him eligible to represent Kenya, Jamaica, or England at the international level. Although Spence has played for England’s U-21 team, he has not yet made a senior international appearance, leaving the door open for a potential switch to Kenya’s Harambee Stars. 

His connection to Kenya has sparked interest among Kenyan football fans and officials, who view him as a valuable addition to the national team. 

Should McCarthy manage to get these players at his disposal, there is no doubt Kenya will become a better footballing nation that can dominate at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.